Theaster Gates 'A Clay Sermon' @ Whitechapel Gallery

on until 9th Jan 2022

A feast for lovers of clay and of contemporary art inspired by past methods and vast cultural references.

One really feels the artist’s energy and passion for materials and for…magic.

As I wondered through sculptures on loan from the V&A museum along side contemporary work by Theaster Gates I could sense the fusion of historical references in his work. A favourite sentence I came across there which gives a great feel of what the show is about is, “ firing a glazed pot at high temperatures involves uncertainty and risk; it is an act of faith, the transmutation that takes place in the kiln can be seen as a kind of alchemy.”

Alongside my thoughts wondering what the artist’s personality must be like I overheard an elegant voice giving instruction on how to work the vinyl record player to her junior. It was none other than Joanna Blasnwick herself. She kindly put me in touch with the show’s curator Lydia Yee who spoke about the show. (see video)

I recommend this show because it brings life to materials in a way that is specific to the artist’s past and what he cares about: affinities between Near Eastern, Western and African traditions, connecting ancient art with new innovative works (referencing Isamu Noguchi/ Constantin Brancusi), the effect of heat on clay, stone, wood and ash.

He started out searching for black ceramic role models and this search ended up taking a life of its own, ended up studying Japanese ceramic tradition.

I love masks and how they add introspective feeling to the show.